DETECTIVES have ruled out allegations that six men arrested in an anti-terrorist swoop had been involved in buying explosives.
It is believed an anonymous tip-off to police about the equipment sparked the investigation into the six suspects, arrested in raids in Darlington and Teesside, on Tuesday.
Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who is heading the Durham Constabulary-led inquiry, said: "We were acting on information and, while we will not comment on the specific nature of intelligence, received nothing has been found to support these claims."
The men, aged 29 to 46, are being questioned under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Friends of Palestinian Ibrahim Rachid, of Northgate, Darlington, are desperately trying to contact his parents in Lebanon to tell them of his arrest.
It is believed the men were arrested under suspicion of raising funds or money laundering for Islamic groups. On Tuesday, magistrates granted police a 72-hour extension to question the men.
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